The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards the smallest jail system possible without compromising public safety. The DOC is solely responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff, visitors, volunteer and people in custody inside our jails. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to providing people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with over 9,000 diverse professionals and knowledge experts.

DOC seeks to recruit Social Workers assigned to the Counseling Services Unit. Under direction of the Executive Director assigned to the Counseling Services Unit, the Social Worker will conduct targeted weekly 1-hour individual counseling sessions focused on an individuals’ feelings, behaviors, and goals in the Risk Management Accountability System. The Risk Management Accountability System is an alternative to punitive segregation for individuals who commit acts of violence within our city jails. RMAS includes a 2-step level system and Restorative Rehabilitative Unit (RRU) which prepares individuals who commit acts of violence to return to general population.

Additional typical duties for this position include but are not limited to:
- Daily interaction with individuals in custody for extended periods of time
- Implementation of rehabilitative and behavioral modification programs and services
- Assess needs of individuals on case load and provide therapeutic interventions to support
goal achievement based on goals identified on someone’s Individual Behavioral Support Plans
- Facilitate therapeutic groups programs in milieu setting on assigned housing units
- Follow-up with individuals on assigned caseload as they transition to general population
- Encourage individuals to have positive interactions, behaviors, attitudes, ethics and morals
- Prepare reports and document interactions, complete progress notes, and use other tools as assigned
- Attend training sessions, workshops, and staff meetings to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Work in a multidisciplinary team with uniformed correctional staff and providers to achieve
rehabilitative program goals
- Assist with deescalating conflicts and manage non-compliance with program rules
- Respond alongside uniformed correctional staff to manage incidents in designated housing areas
to ensure safety and security
- Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements
A Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.

License Requirements
You will be required to have a valid Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the New York State Department of Education within one year of the date of appointment. This license must be presented to the appointing officer at the time of appointment or, if it is obtained after appointment, at the time it is received. This license must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

If you fail to obtain your LMSW or LCSW license within one year of the date of appointment, your probationary period will be automatically extended for six months. If you fail to obtain the required license by the end of 18 months of service, you will be terminated.

Special Note

Section 424-a of the New York Social service Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-care responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report. The agency has the discretion to assign a candidate who has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report to a position with no child-care responsibilities.

- Experience working directly with adults in a group, community, educational, or institutional setting is preferred. - Knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience working with justice involved populations. - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of correctional staff. - Ability to exercise independent judgment, prepare written reports and documents. - Knowledge of human development and behavior, counseling techniques, behavior modification and intervention techniques. - Ability to mentor and provide positive interaction, guidance and leadership to people in custody. - Excellent writing, communication, inter-personal, analytical, research, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

New York City residency is not required for this position.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.